Weekend preview: Baseball, apple pie and Bloody Marys

This weekend, we continue to bask in the afterglow of celebratory fireworks and that brat that fell back in the fire, the spirit of independence not just a memory but a way of life in a nation where we have the freedom to worship LeBron James, the inalienable right to assemble in “Stars Wars” outfits, the liberty to be ignorant of Turkmenistan.

AMERICAN PIEIn downtown Lake Worth, two days of free holiday events — including music, raft races, contests, picnics and fireworks — continue on Friday, highlighted by a classic pie-baking contest at the South Shores Tavern (502 Lucerne Ave.). Enter your home-baked pie in the fourth annual contest by 4 p.m., with judging by local chefs and celebrities at 5 p.m. The downtown festivities conclude with the release of lighted peace lanterns at 9 p.m. Bring the rhubarb and leave the cynicism at home. Info: 561-533-5272.

AMERICAN BEERAs you may imagine, American Social (721 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale) has been celebrating all week, concluding Friday with live music (Big Al) and Saturday and Sunday with a brunch featuring bottomless Bloody Marys, mimosas and Angryosas, which our lady friends say is fueled by Angry Orchard cider beer and is delish. Ladies only, right? Info: 954-764-7005, AmericanSocialBar.com.

AMERICAN IDEASThe independent bookseller is an under-appreciated pillar of democracy, and often a source for a fine cup of coffee. Mitch Kaplan's enduring Books and Books (265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables) will have its annual Independence Day Weekend Sale through Sunday. Info: 305-442-4408, BooksandBooks.com.

AMERICA'S PASTIMEBaseball, Madonna and Rosie O’Donnell are the odd trinity featured (with Tom Hanks and Geena Davis) in “A League of Their Own,” the free Friday family movie at the ArtsPark on Young Circle in downtown Hollywood. Movie starts at 8 p.m. Info: 954-921-3500.

AMERICAN CLASSICSYou have less than a week to submit your swede film to Swedefest Palm Beach, the festival of low-budget, intentionally bad knockoffs of favorite movies. According to the organizers, there are some classic American stories still available for your swede treatment, including “American Beauty,” “American Psycho,” “American Pie,” “American Graffiti” and “Scarface.” Deadline is 11:59 p.m. July 9. Entry is free. Info: 561-282-4623, SwedefestPalmBeach.com.

AMERICAN LEBOWSKIHeads up: A new weekly film series in Delray Beach, Art Cinema at the Crest, begins on Wednesday with an American classic, “Casablanca,” followed on July 17 with the Coen brothers’ “The Big Lebowski.” Yes, there is a bar. Tickets: $8. Info: 561-243-7922, DelrayCenterForTheArts.org.

AMERICAN BEER IIYou probably knew about it because you know everything first, but I just tripped across the San Diego beer known as Green Flash West Coast IPA at the Yard House in Palm Beach Gardens (11701 Lake Victoria Gardens; 561-691-6901). Good hoppy stuff.

AMERICAN WHINE“Before Midnight,” the third installment of Richard Linklater’s nearly two-decade heart-tugger, starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, has been held over for a fifth (and, they claim, final) week at Coral Gables Art Cinema (260 Aragon Ave.). Info: 786-385-9689, GablesCinema.com.

COUNTRY COMFORTDo not get me started on the many reasons to go to Red Cow (1025 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale). Lingering in the memory still is the appetizer called iron skillet corn bread (which is like calling the Mona Lisa a painting of a woman in a frame). Arriving in the round pan it was baked in, the golden bread is redolent of buttery corn on the cob and memories of Southern meals past. And it’s only the beginning! Info: 954-652-1524, RedCowFTL.com.

CAPTAIN AMERICAWhenever you worry that the American economy is going to hell, know that the sci-fi fantasy nerd fest (sorry, Matt) known as Florida Supercon at the Miami Airport Convention Center has sold out all its rooms at two Miami hotels so far. The lineup of humans, including Kevin Smith, Adam Baldwin and the eloquent George Takei, is curiously strong. Info: 954-399-1330, FloridaSupercon.com.

JUSTICE LEAGUENickelodeon stars Victoria Justice, formerly of Hollywood, and Carlos Pena Jr., formerly of Weston, return home when Justice and Pena’s group Big Time Rush perform at the Cruzan Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach on Friday. Tickets: $32, $79.40. Info: 561-422-1658, CruzanAmphitheatre.net.

ROCKETS RED GLAREThe Museum of Discovery and Science (401 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale) has two days of holiday activities planned for Saturday and Sunday, including ice cream-making demonstrations (“a little kinetic energy can create a delicious physical change!”), with free samples while supplies last; a rocket-launching contest in the Science Park; and red, white and blue face-painting. All activities are included in museum admission: $14, $12 ages 2-12. Info: 954-467-6637, MODS.org.

INDEPENDENCENext weekend, the Indie Craft Bazaar will again turn Revolution Live (100 SW Third Ave., Fort Lauderdale) into a pop-up vintage souk with a July 13 event called Color Your Summer. From noon to 5 p.m., more than 60 local artists and crafters will offer everything from handmade bags and jewelry to one-of-a-kind art, along with $3 mimosas and the always popular baked goods, vegan and otherwise. A free DIY tie-dye booth (bring a T-shirt or buy one there) will allow guests to get extra colorful. The $5 admission gets you a raffle ticket, and a portion of the proceeds benefit the Flagler Community Garden. Info: 954-785-7475, IndieCraftBazaar@gmail.com, GetUpAndCraft.com.

By John Tanasychuk, SouthFlorida.com Between vacationing locals, snowbirds gone north and the typical tourist slowdown, many restaurants find themselves in a less-than-perfect position during summer. In an effort to fill their dining rooms, restaurateurs offer some enticing promotions. These deals...